Electricity and Telecommunications

The electricity and telecommunications sector underpins energy supply and digital connectivity – both cornerstones of the economy, society and critical infrastructure. Accreditation ensures reliable testing, quality and safety for installations and systems, and builds confidence in a stable, efficient and sustainable supply.

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Overview

This sector supports security of supply, the energy transition, climate protection objectives and the introduction of sustainable energy solutions, while also ensuring the digital flow of information, connectivity between public authorities, businesses and citizens, and the stability of critical digital services.

Electricity infrastructure is one of the critical infrastructures whose failure or disruption has direct knock-on effects across other sectors – including society, the economy and industry. Electrical energy is an indispensable foundation of daily life, industrial processes and, in particular, the functioning of modern information and communications technologies, transport infrastructure and healthcare.

Electricity supply encompasses the generation, distribution and trading of electricity, as well as all installations and processes required for a secure and reliable energy supply. This sector also includes energy storage and use, and the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of communications and network infrastructure.

Role of accreditation

Both areas in this sector rely on complex technologies and services and require accredited testing, inspection and certification bodies to ensure the safety, quality and efficiency of energy installations, transmission grids and telecommunications systems.

Across the generation, distribution and storage of electricity, accreditation ensures the quality of measurement, testing and calibration services. Accredited bodies provide reliable measurement results on which operators, regulators and customers can base their decisions. Accreditation makes performance, emissions and safety measurable and comparable.

Accredited services include the calibration of measuring instruments, testing of grid components, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing and conformity assessments. These are important for operators, manufacturers and regulatory authorities: they reduce the risk of failures, enable verifiable quality standards and promote security of supply.

Importance for the public, businesses and public authorities

Switzerland needs installations, technologies and systems that enable a safe, efficient and environmentally sound energy supply. For businesses, accreditation provides transparency on the performance of services and installations. It builds confidence in the quality, efficiency, safety and sustainability of processes.

Types of accreditation offered